Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Matthew Lloyd

To effectively clean your steering wheel, gather the necessary tools: a dedicated cleaner, soft-bristled brush, boar’s hair brush, stiffer bristled brush, gloves, and disposable microfiber towels. Apply the cleaner to the soft brush, clean the wheel, and agitate using the boar’s hair brush. Scrub with the soft brush to check and repeat if necessary. Wipe off residue with a dry towel and perform regular maintenance cleaning.

The Best Way to Clean Steering Wheel: A Comprehensive Guide

Tools and Products You’ll Need:

To clean your steering wheel effectively, you’ll need the following tools and products:

1. Cleaner

• Car Pro Inside is one of the best cleaners for removing dirt, grime, and oils from your steering wheel. It contains powerful enzymes that break down stains without leaving any residue behind. Avoid using all-purpose cleaners that can be too abrasive or leave a slick surface.

2. Brushes

• Super Soft Bristled Brush: This brush is perfect for gentle dusting and cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as emblems and cracks.
• Boar’s Hair Brush: Cut down a boar’s brush to create stiffer bristles for more effective scrubbing. This brush is suitable for agitating dirt and grime without causing damage.
• Stiffer Bristled Brush: Use a slightly larger brush with stiffer bristles to apply more torque when necessary. Be cautious not to use too stiff brushes, which may leave scratch marks on your steering wheel.

3. Glove and Single-Use Towel

• Gloves: Wearing gloves while cleaning your steering wheel is recommended to protect your hands from dirt and grime.
• Single-Use Towel: Choose a disposable microfiber towel for cleaning your steering wheel. This ensures cleanliness and prevents cross-contamination when working on different interiors.

4. Additional Precautions

• Second Towel: If your car has an instrument cluster, place a second towel over it to prevent grime from getting on the screens.
• Headlamp: A headlamp can provide additional lighting to help you see the dirt and grime more clearly.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning Your Steering Wheel:

Now that you have all the necessary tools and products follow these step-by-step instructions to clean the steering wheel effectively:

Step 1: Preparation

• Wear your gloves and ensure adequate lighting, such as a headlamp, for better visibility.
• If your car has an instrument cluster, cover it with a towel to protect the screens.

Step 2: Applying the Cleaner

• Spray a sufficient amount of Car Pro Inside cleaner onto the soft-bristled brush.
• Gently apply the cleaner onto the steering wheel, focusing on the pores, seams, and stitching.
• Avoid oversaturating the wheel, especially in areas with electronics or sensitive components.

Step 3: Agitation and Cleaning

• Switch to the boar’s hair brush and continue agitating the cleaner on the steering wheel’s surface. This helps break down dirt, grime, and oils.
• Pay attention to areas where you frequently place your hands, such as the thumb grip and other high-contact points.
• Clean the back side of the steering wheel as well, as it can accumulate dirt over time.

Step 4: Checking Your Work

• Scrub the steering wheel with the soft-bristled brush to check the accumulated dirt and grime.
• Evaluate the results and compare the “before” and “after” sides to see the noticeable difference.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

• If needed, perform another cleaning round using the stiffer bristled brush to agitate the surface further and open up the pores.
• Be cautious not to be too aggressive to prevent damage to the steering wheel.
• Finally, use a dry side of the microfiber towel to wipe off any excess residue, ensuring a clean and dry finish.

Conclusion:

Cleaning your steering wheel is essential to maintaining a fresh and hygienic car interior. Following the step-by-step instructions in this guide and using the recommended tools and products, you can easily restore your steering wheel to its original cleanliness. Remember to be gentle during the cleaning process and avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners that may damage the leather.

Key Notes and Important Points:

• Use a dedicated leather and interior cleaner like Car Pro Inside.
• Have three brushes: a super soft-bristled brush, a cut-down boar’s hair brush, and a stiffer bristled brush.
• Wear gloves and use disposable microfiber towels for cleanliness.
• Be cautious of oversaturation and protect sensitive areas.
• Agitate and clean using gentle brushes.
• Check your work and compare the before and after results.
• Avoid using steam cleaners on leather steering wheels.
• Be mindful of electronics and allow the cleaner to dry naturally.
• Clean your steering wheel regularly for a fresh and hygienic interior.